I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 991: Seizing the Mediterranean
"Two plans." The Minister of Military Supplies spoke eloquently:
"The first, completely turn against Shire."
"This can quickly give us the initiative in the war, including the army."
"We can launch a sudden attack while the French Army is unprepared, swiftly occupy coastal cities like Dunkirk, preparing for a full-scale assault on France!"
The staff projected a map on the wall at the right time, marking Dunkirk's position with light and shadow. It was well-suited for the British Army to cross the channel, and a comprehensive logistics chain has been established over the years to ensure the transport of supplies.
The Minister of Military Supplies introduced the map, holding a pointer:
"In this plan, Dunkirk will be our forward base."
"We'll protect it with at least 5 battleships, and more can be added if necessary."
"With the battleships' cover, it will become an unbreachable city, even against Shire's forces."
This was the Minister of Military Supplies' rehearsal of a joint sea-land tactic.
It used the large-caliber naval guns of the battleships to lay a barrage outside Dunkirk's defensive circle.
He believed that regardless of how many tanks Shire had, if they dared approach this city, they'd be shattered by naval gunfire.
But General Winter did not agree.
"This is not the case, Your Excellency." General Winter frowned:
"It's well known that artillery accuracy is very limited at night, especially naval guns. If Shire chooses to attack at night, we will be at a significant disadvantage."
"And if we can't hold Dunkirk, our army will completely collapse; it will undoubtedly be a disaster."
"We can't afford such a defeat anymore!"
Dunkirk was easy to defend and difficult to attack due to the surrounding canals, but its biggest flaw was it offered no retreat. If Shire broke through the defenses, surrender would be the only option.
Prime Minister George also expressed his concerns:
"Although I agree to go to war with France, being so aggressive at the start is clearly unwise."
"We need some reasons, rather than suddenly attacking an ally."
"This will put us in an extremely passive position politically and diplomatically."
Belfort agreed with the Prime Minister:
"Yes, if we do this, even the United States might not side with us."
"In the future, no country would dare to form an alliance with England."
"Because they'd worry that England might suddenly launch such a 'surprise attack' on them at any time!"
The Minister of Military Supplies was momentarily speechless.
What he most wanted to do was actually this kind of undeclared "surprise attack."
They wouldn't understand, thought the Minister of Military Supplies. If such a "surprise attack" could either wipe out France or severely cripple it, would England still need to care what other countries thought?
France was the only possible competitor to England. By eliminating it with thunderous might, no one would be able to shake England's position, and no one would dare speak a just word. They would still cower under England's formidable power like before.
However, the Minister of Military Supplies also understood that with everyone opposing him, it would be impossible for him to implement this risky plan.
"Alright." He responded, "Then let's look at the other plan."
He circled the position of the British Expeditionary Force with his pointer: "The other plan requires us to withdraw the Expeditionary Force, abandoning all ground offensives."
Everyone exclaimed:
"Abandon all ground offensives?"
"Does that mean we are admitting defeat?"
"If we withdraw forces at this time, we won't have any troops threatening Germany; they certainly wouldn't agree to reparations!"
...
The Minister of Military Supplies replied:
"I am saving their lives, gentlemen."
"You know what Shire is good at; any land bordering France is a place he can conquer."
"So, if we don't choose to fight comprehensively, we can only withdraw troops to ensure the safety of the Expeditionary Force."
George asked, "Then, what about the German reparations?"
The Minister of Military Supplies answered bluntly, "I don't think that's a problem, Prime Minister. As long as we defeat France, they can't refuse no matter how much we ask Germany to pay!"
The politicians quieted down to think for a while, feeling that what the Minister of Military Supplies said made sense.
The right to speak is always controlled by the strong, so the most important thing is to defeat Shire. Once that's achieved, the world remains England's.
"Then, what's your plan?" Belfort asked.
The Minister of Military Supplies pointed at several areas of the ocean on the map:
"Abandoning the land allows us to concentrate the war and resources on the ocean."
"So we can forget Shire's terrifying tactics, equipment, and speed."
"And naval battles require tonnage, technology, and legacy, which are exactly what Shire lacks."
General Winter was unclear: "But if that's the case, how do we defeat Shire?"
The Minister of Military Supplies had a sly smile:
"Material blockade, Winter."
"We believe the Germans transport supplies from France, so we must control the materials going to France."
"Though we don't wish to do this, it aligns with the Allies' interests."
George suddenly realized that the "control" mentioned by the Minister of Military Supplies was indeed a blockade:
"Yes, France hopes to replace us."
"But if we cite war as a reason to blockade or restrict its trade from the sea, it will be frustrated again just after recovering from the war."
"If it continues, it won't surpass us to become number one in the world."
Belfort nodded: "The blockade of the Mediterranean isn't difficult; we can rely on Egypt to block the Suez Canal."
The Minister of Military Supplies shook his head with a smile:
"Blocking the Suez Canal is far from sufficient."
"France can still trade with its African colonies, which is enough for them."
"Therefore, what we need to control is the entire Mediterranean!"
Everyone exclaimed:
"Control the Mediterranean? Is it possible?"
"Shire has already made arrangements there; they've even built an airport in Malta."
"The main forces of the French Navy are also in the Mediterranean, meaning we are likely to engage in a sea battle with them!"
...
The Minister of Military Supplies nodded:
"Yes, gentlemen."
"You are correct; we are likely to vie for control with the French Navy in the Mediterranean."
"That's why we need to withdraw the army."
"This is also going to war with France, but we're avoiding the strengths of the French Army by using the navy to blockade it."
Prime Minister George nodded gently: "This plan seems much better than the previous one."
"Indeed." Belfort agreed: "It gives us a very good excuse, and we didn't even make any excessive moves at the start."
Only General Winter remained worried: "Do you really think we can defeat Shire? Even in a naval battle?"
Belfort replied, his tone tinged with some helplessness: "If we can't defeat Shire at sea, then there won't be any hope at all!"
